Selector mechanism



B.' E. MILLS SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 10, 1930 June 21, 1932.

3 Sheets-.Sheet l june' 2L, E932. B. E. MILLS SELECTOR MEGHANISM I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l0, 1930 June 21, 1932. B E WLLS SELECTOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. 10. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 21, V1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BERT E. MILLS, 0F OAK PABX, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MILLS NOVELTY COMPANY, OF

' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS SELECTOR MEGHANISML Application filed February 10, 1930. Serial N0. 427,359.

This invention relates to automatic multiple-record phonographs and has for its principal object the provision, in combination with a carrier for a plurality of records, of selector mechanism whereby said records may be selectively positioned at a playing station and need not be played in the order in which they are arranged on the carrier unless it is so desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this character which allows for the playing of a selected record, after the playing of which the other records will be played in continuous succession upon the continued operation of the phonograph until another selection is made.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as I proceed with my specification, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a referred embodiment thereof.

eferring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a portion of an automatic phonograph provided with the selector mechanism ofmy invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig 1, showing the selector dial and-the associated elements;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 ofv Fig. 2

Fig.,5 is a broken section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fi 6 is a wiring diagram of electrical circults employed in the phonograph mechanism so far as they relate to said selector mechanism; and

Fig. 7 is adetailed section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

In said drawings illustrating thebest manner in which I have thus far contemplated applying the principles of my invention I have shown a series of record holders 10 which are secured to and radially disposed yabout a hub 11, which is carried by a shaft 12, said shaft being journaled atI its opposite ends in a pair of uplright-s 13, which are secured to a base'14. herecord holders 10 are provided centrally with apertures in which are mounted sleevesv 15. Record supporting spindles 17 are carried in the sleeves 15 and. are adapted for free rotation therein. Records 18 are releasably secured to the record supporting plates 17 by clips 19. The record holders are rotated about the shaft 12 by a motor 20, the armature of which is suitably geared to a gear wheel 21, the teeth of which engage the links of a chain 22, which drives a sprocket wheel 23 mounted on the shaft 12.

The records are driven by a disc motor 24, the armature of which carries a friction drive wheel 25 which engages the bevelled face of the record supporting plates 17. The disc motor 24 is pivotally mounted at 26 in a yoke 27 which is attached to the base 14.

The reproducer assembly comprises a tone arm support member 28 which is `pivotally secured at 29 to an upright 30; and a tone arm 31 carrying a pick-up element 32 equipped with a needle 33 which traverses the tone grooves of the records.. The tone arm'31 is arranged for double pivotal movement relative to the tone arm support member 28, being pivoted at 34 to a bracket 35 to permit vertical turning of said arm, said bracket 35 being in turn pivoted at 36 to the tone arm support member 28 to permit horizontal turning or swinging of the tone arm.

' The reproducer assembly and the disc motor 24 are automatically moved into and out of operative relation to the records by the movement of the record carrier. The mechanism for this purpose comprises a cam ring 37, disposed about the record holders 10 and securedthereto by brackets 38, said ring being provided with a series Yof. cam grooves 39 corresponding in number to the number of record holders; and a lever 40 pivotally mounted at 41 to a yoke 42 which is secured rection, viewing Fig. 1, and the reproducer assembly will be tilted into horizontal operative position. The disc motor 24 is tilted into and out of operative position through the action of a cam stud 46 which is secured to an apron 47 carried by the shell of the motor 24. The cam stud 46 is adapted to engage a cam groove 48 which is formed in the lower end of the lever 40. It will be apparent that when the lever 40 is turned to raise the reproducer assembly the disc drive motor 24 will be simultaneously tilted into semi-vertical inoperative position by the action of the cam groove 48 on the cam stud 46.

The record changing motor 20 is periodi ically energized to move the records to and from the playing station. For this purpose there is provided an automatic cut-off switch 49 which is actuated by the movement of the tone arm at the end vof the record to close ad circuit through the record changing motor 20. The automatic cut-0H switch just referred to forms the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 427,360 filed February 10, 1930. When the tone arm 31 has been tilted -into inoperative position the automatic cut-off switch 49 is opened. A running switch 50 is provided for carrying the circuit through the record changing motor 20 after the automatic cut-off switch 49 has thus been opened. The running switch 50 includes a switch arm 51 which is contrlled by the movement of the lever 40, so that the switch is automatically opened when the. record has arrived at the playing station. As will subsequently appear in the description of Fig. 6, the disc motor 24 is placed directly across the line and is designed for continuous operation until the main line circuit is automatically opened by a suitable coin control dievice hereinafter mentioned. The record changing motor 20 is also arranged to be cut off by the multiple coin control device when the number of rec- .the cam roller 45 is free to drop into the cam groove 39 to permit the playing of the record. When, however, the cam roller 45 is engaged by the notch 53 the records will not be played, inasmuch as the lever 40 is not free to turn to permit movement of the reproducer assembly and the disc motor 24 into operative osition.

The movement of the latch mem er 52 is controlled by a magnet 54 provided with an armature 55, said armature being pivotally mounted at 26 to the yoke 27. A spring 56 connected at one end to the armature 55 and at the other end to the latch member 52 'affords a yielding connection between the armature 55 and the latch member 52. The latch member 52 is pivotally secured at 57 to the armature 55 and the armature 55 is provided with a stop arm 58 which in the released position of the latch engages the base 14. It will be apparent that when the magnet-54 is energized the armature 55 will be held against the magnet and the latch member 52 will be held in raised position to pre vent disengagement of the cam roller 45 from the notch. 53. When the magnet 54 is deenergized, the armature 55 is released, the latch member 52 is dropped, and the cam roller 45 is free to fall into the cam grooves 39 to permit the playing of the record.

The selector mechanism includes means for de-energizing the magnet 54 at a predetermined point whereby a previously selected record is brought to a position of rest at the playing station. The mechanism for this purpose, shown in Fig. 2, comprises a switch element 59 mounted on a shaft 60 which turns Iwith the carrier shaft 12; a switch element 61 mounted on a shaft 62 which is journaled in a bearing 63 carried by a frame arm 64, said arm being secured by bolts 65 to the upright 13; anda dial 66 secured to the shaft 62 and provided with numbers `67 which are positioned to correspond to the several record carriers.

The switch element 59 is insulated from the shaft 10 and the shaft 12 by a suitable insulatin material as indicated at 68, and the switc element 61 is similarly insulated from the shaft 62 as indicated at 69. The switch element 59 is partially enclosed by a housing (see Figs. 2 and 3) which is secured by a bolt 71 to the upright 13 and insulated therefrom by a suitable gasket 72.

lSaid switch element 59 is provided with a air of spring-pressed contacts 73 and 74, ille contact 73 being in engagement with the housing 70 and the contact 74 beingin engagement with the switch element 61. The

circuit is carried to the switch element 61 by a brush 75 which is secured by bolts 76 to' the frame arm 64, a suitable insulating washer 77 being interposed between said frame arm and the brush. A conductor 78 carries the circuit to the brush 75 and a conductor 79 carries the other side of the circuit to the housing 70, from which the circuit is completed through the contacts 73 and 74 to the switch element 61. As will hereinafter appear in the description of Fio'. 6, the con ductors 78 and 79 form a. part o a circuit which includes the magnet 54 controlling the latch .member 52.

An insulating plate 80 is carriedfby the switch element 61 and is desi l ed to break the circuit at a predetermine point to deenergize the magnet 54. Referring particu-` larly to Figs. 2 and 3, when'the contact 74,v j which turns with the record carrier shaft 12,

engages the insulating plate 80, the circuit through the magnet 54 will be broken and the cam roller will be released. The point at which the magnet circuit will be broken in this manner is controlled by the dial 66 which turns with the shaft 62 and the switch element 61. The dial is adjusted by av knob 81 loosely mounted on the shaft 62 and connected with a sleeve 82 which carries a ratchet 83, said ratchet engaging a pawl 84, which is secured to the dial 66 (see Fig. 5). When the knob 81 is turned in a clockwlse direction, viewing Fig. 5, the dial 66 and the switch element 61 will not be moved.- -However, when it isjturned in a counterfclockwise direction, the pawl .84 will engage the ratchet 83 and the dial may be turned vuntil the number corresponding .to the desired i record is opposite an indicator 85 carried by the record-carrying hub 1 1. y

Referring again to Figs. 2 and 3, the turning of the shaft 62 in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3, is prevented by a ratchet 86, carried by the hub portion 87Y of the dial 66, and a pawl 88 pivotally mounted at 89 to the frame arm 64.

Assuming the switch element 61 has been adj usted by turning the dial 66 until the number corresponding tothe desired record is opposite the indicator 85, it will be apparent that the record carrier will turn until the contact 74 comes into engagement with the insulating plate 80, whereupon the magnet 54 will be de-energized which releases the cam roller 45 and allows the selected record to be played. It will be understood that the relative position of the numbers 67 on the dial 66 and the insulating plate 80 are fixed so that for a iven setting of the dial 66 the desired recor will be played.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 4 and 7, it will be noted that the switch element 59 is provided with an arm 90 positioned opposite the contacts 73 and 74. A laterally extending bracket 91 carried by the arm 90 is adapted to engage a pin 92 carried on the lower end of a spring arm 93, and extending through one of the spokes 931 of the switch element 61. The sprin arm 93 is secured at 94 to an adjacent spo e ofthe switch element 61. The under face of the pin 92 is bevelled as indicated at 95, so that when the switch element 61 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 4, the pin` 92 will freely pass the bracket 91, to permit the` setting of the dial at any desired position.

Assuming the dial to have been previously set,

when the switch element 59 turns with the carrier the arm 90 will turn therewith until the bracket 91 enga-ges the pin 92 at which t oint the circuit will be broken since the pin 4 is then in engagement with the insulating plate 80. If no furthersetting of the dial 66 is made, the switch element 61 will thereafter turn with the switch element 59 by reason of the engagement of the bracket 91 with the pin 92. The records will accordingly be thereafter played in continuous succession since contact 74 remains in engagement with the insulating plate 804 The mechanism,

therefore, affords means not` only for play-4 ing aselected record, but also permits the -playin of the records successively in` the event t at no selection is made.

. In Fig. 6 are the circuits employed in the mechanism, so far as important to thepresent invention, together with a diagrammatic showing of certain of the parts of the phonograph. The line circuit is taken from the terminals 96 and 97 througha suitable auto-v matic coin control device 98 tothe terminals 99 and 100, from which the'wires 10,1.and 102 carry the circuit to the vamplifier 103 and thence t rou h the wires 104 and 105 to the electrical pic -up 32. lThe disc motor 24,

being adapted for continuous operation, is

placed directly across the line,the Wire 106 carrying the circuit to the motorv and the wire 107 carrying the circuit from the motor back' to the other side of the line. The motor 24 runs continuously until the main line circuit is broken by a switch 108 which forms a part of the automatic coi'n control.

The record changing motor 20 is fed from the line by a wire 109, the return bein through the wire 110, the automatic cut-o switch 49 and the wire 111. The runnin switch 50 is interposed between the cut-o switch 49 and the motor 20, so that the motor will continue to run after the automatic cut-olf switch has been opened by the raistaken from the main line by a wire 114 to the`- switch element 61 and from there through the switch element 59 and the housing 70- to the wire 115 which leads to the magnet 54, the return being through the wire 116 back through a portion of the wire 109 to the other side of the line. The magnet 54, therefore, is energized to hold the latch member 52 in the latched position until the insulating plate 80 engages the pin 74 whereupon the circuit through the magnet is broken and the playing mechanism is released.

While the operation of the selector mechanism has been described, it is believed that a brief outline of the sequence of the separate i ing of the tone arm. A resistance 112 may ste s in the operation of the vmachine will ai toa clearer understanding of the invention. Assuming that the reproducer assembly is in the tilted non-playing position, the dial 66 is turned until the number corresponding to the desired'record is opposite the indicator 85. On the insertion of a coin in the multi le coin control the switch 108 will be closed) and, the running switch 50, being in this position already closed, thel record changing motor 20 will turn the carrier, includin the switch element 59, until the contact 4 engages the insulating` plate 80, whereupon the latch 52 will be released. The lever 40, which controls the movement of the reproducer assembly and the disc motor 24, is then free to turn under the action of the cam roller following the cam groove 39 and the tone arm and disc motor are moved into playing position. Upon the completion of the playing of the record the cut-oil'l switch 49 automatically starts the record changing motor 20 and the cam roller 45 is-thrown back into position to be engaged by the latch 52. If additional coins have been inserted in the coin device 108, either Vinitially or during the playing of the first record, the carrier continues to rotate until the next or a selected record is brought to the playing station. lf no additional setting of the dial has been made the switch element 61 rotates with the switch element 59 and the latch member 52 remains in the unlatched position, the result of which is that the records are thereafter played in continuous succession. If, however, it is desired to select a record which v does not follow in regular order the dial 66 may be reset which will result in the mem-v ber 61 being moved so as to disengage the 'insulation 80 from the contact 74 causing the magnet 54 to be energized, thus raising the latch 52 into-position to engage the cam roller 45 which is thereby held out of action until the selected record approaches the playing station.

The foregoing A detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, yand no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier, including a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer; and selector mechanism adapted to be set and being thereafter automatically operable to cause a selected record to be positioned at the playing station, said selector mechanism including means for causing the records to be played in the order in which they arearrange on the carrier if no selection is made.

2. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier, including a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer; and selector mechanism actuated by movement of the record carrier and operable to cause a selected record to be positioned at the playing station, said selector mechanism including means for causingthel records to be played in the order in which they are arranged on the carrier if no selection is made.

3. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier; means for rotating said carrier to move the records to and from a. playing station; and selector mechanism for interrupting said carrier rotating means when the selected record arrives at the playing station, said selector mechanism including a switch element rotatable with said carrier, and a second switch element rotatable independently of said carrier, one of said switch elements being provided with an interrupting plate and the other switch elementbeing provided with contact means affording electrical connection between said elements, said contact means being positioned to engage said interrupting plate when the selected record arrives at the playing station.

4. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier; means for rotating said carrier to move the records to and from a playing station; and selector mechanism for interrupting said carrier rotating means when the selected record arrives at the playing station, said selector mechani'sm including a switch element rotatable with said carrier, a second switch element rotatable independently of said carrier, one of said switch elements being provided with an interrupting plate and the other switch element being provided with contact means affording electrical connection between said elements, said contact means being positioned to engage said interrupting plate when the selected record arrives at the playing station, and means operable to turn said switch elements in unison after said contact means has been brought into circuit-breaking position, whereby therccords are played in the order in which they are arranged on the carrier if no selection is made. I

5. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier including a plurality ofrecord supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer assembly automatically movable into and out of operative relation to the records as the latter are presented to and removed from a playing station; and selector mechanism operable to control the order of presentation of t-he records tofthe playing station, .said selector mechanism vincluding means for holding'the reproducer assembly out of operative relation to the records, and

switch means actuated by movement of the record carrierto release said holding means v means for maintaining said holding' means in released position until another selection is made. v l

6. In an automatic multiple-record honograph; a rotatable record carrier inc uding a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playin station; a reproducer assembly automatically .movable into and' out of operative relation to the records as the latter are presented to and removed from a playing station; and select-or mechanism voperable to control the order of presentation of the records tothe playing station; 4said selector mechanism including` a latch member for holding the reproducer assembly out of operative .relation to the records, a magnet normally retaining said latch member in latched position,`apair lof switch elements actuated by movement of the record carrier to release said latch member when the selected record arrives at the playing station and means for maintaining said latch member in unlatched position until another selection is made.

7. In an automatic multiple-record phono` graph; a. rotatable record carrier including a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a laying station; a reproducer assembly mova le into and out of operative relation to the records at a playing station; and selector mechanism operable to control the order of presentation of thereofv ords to the playing station, said selector me-` chanism including a latch member for hold-l ing said reproducer assembly in inoperative position, means for holding said latch member in latched position, and electrically op-v rerated means for releasing said latch member comprising a switch element rotatable with said carrier, a second switch element rotatable independently of said carrier, and means for interrupting a circui: through said switch elements to release said latch-'member when the selected record arrives at the playing station. A f f 8. I n .an-automatic multiple'nrecord phonograph; a rotatable record carrier including a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer assembly movable into and out of operative relation to the records at a playing station; and selector mechanism operable to control the order of presentation of the records to the playing station, said selector mechanism including a latch .member 'for holding said reproducer in inoperative position, means for holding said latch member in latched position, and means actuated by movement of the record carrier 'for releasin said latch member when the selected recor ords to the playing station, said selector` mechanism comprising a latch member for holding 'said reproducer assembly in inoperative position, means for holding said latch member in latched position, and means for releasing said latch member when the selected record arrives at the playing station, said release means including means for maintaining said latch member in unlatched position until another selection is made.

f 10. In yan automatic [multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier including aplurality of record supports adapted yto be moved to and from a laying station; a reproducer assembly mova leinto and out of operative relation to the records at a pla ing station; and selector mechanism opera le to control the order of presentationof the records to the playing station, said selector mechanism including, a latch member for holding said reproducer assembl in inoperative position, a magnet for hohhngi said latch. member in latched position, an means for de-energizing said magnet comprising a switch element rotatable with said carrier, a second switch element rotatable independently of said carrier, and means for interrupting a circuit through said'elements and the magnet to release said latch member when the selected record arrives at the playing station.

11. In an automatic multiple record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier including a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer assembly movable into and out of operative relation to the records at a playing station; and selector mechanism operable to control the order of presentation of the records to the playing station, said selector mechanism including, a latch member for holding said reproducer assembly1 in inoperative position, a magnet for hol 'ng said latch member in latched position, means for de-energizing said magnet to release said latch member when the selected record arrives ,at the playing station, and means for station; a reproducer assembly movable into and out of operative relation to the records at a playing station; and selector mechanism operable to control the order of presentation of the records to the playing station, said selector mechanism comprising, a .latch member for holding said reproducer in inoperative position, means for holding said latch member in latched position, and means for releasing said latch member when the selected record arrives at the playing station, said release meansY including a switch` element rotatable with said carrier, a second switch element rotatable independently of said c arrier, means affording electrical connection between said switch elements, means for interrupting the electrical connection between said switch elements when the selected record arrives at the playing station, and a dial operatively connected with said second switch element.

13. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier including a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer assembly movable into and out of operative relation to the records at a playlng station; and selector mechanism operable to control the order of presentation of the records to the playing station, said selector mechanism comprising a latch member Vfor holding said reproducer'in inoperative posi.- tion, means for holding said latch member in vlatched position, and means for releasing said latch member when the selected record arrives at the playing station, said release means including a switch element rotatable independently of said carrier and provided with an interrupting plate, a. second switch element rotatable with said carrier and provided l with contacts affording electrical connection with said first mentioned switch element, and means operable to-turn said switch elements in unison after said contactshave been brought into circuit-breaking position, whereby said latch member is'maintained in unlatfhed position until another selection is ma e.

14. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph; a rotatable record carrier, including aplurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer assembly movable into and out of operative relation to the records at a pla 'ng station; and selector mechanism operab e to control the order of present-ation of the records to the playing station, said selector mechanism comprising a latch member for holdingsaid reproducer assembly in'inoperative pos1t1on, a magnet for holding said latch member in latched de-energizing said magnet torelease said latch .member when t-he selected record arrives at the playingstation,saidde-energizing means including a switch element rotatable position, and means for` with said carrier, a second switch element rotatable independently of said carrier, means aiiording electrical connection between said switch elements, means for interrupting the electrical'connection between said switch elements when the selected record arrives at the playing station, and a dial operatively connected with said second switch element.

15. In an automatic multiple-record phonograph;` a. rotatable record carrier including a plurality of record supports adapted to be moved to and from a playing station; a reproducer assembly movable into and out of operative relation to the records .at a playing station; and selector mechanism operable to control the order of presentation of the records to the playing station, said selector mechanism comprising, a latch member for holding said reproducer assembly in inoperative position, a magnet for holding said latch member in latched position, and means for de-energizing said magnet to release said latch member when the selected record arrives at the 'playing station, said deenergizin means including, a switch element rotat-l abIe independently of said carrier and pro- .vided with an interrupting plate, a second switch element rotata le with said carrier and provided with contacts affording electrical connection with first mentioned switch.

element, and means operable to turn said switch elements in unison after said contacts have been brought into circuit-breaking position 'whereby said latch member is maintained in unlatched positionuntil another selection is made'. p

16. In an automatic multiple record phonograph; a base; a record carrier rotatably supported on said base; means for rotating said carrier to move the records to and from a playing station; a selector element rotatable with said carrier; a second selector element rotatable independently of said carrier; means affording electrical connection between said selector elements; and means for interrupting the electrical connection between said selector elements after a predetermined amount of turning of said carrier, whereby a previously selected record is' brought to rest at the playing station.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

BERT E. MILLS. 

